Prediction Of Propagation Path Loss Model.
PREDICTION OF PROPAGATION PATH LOSS MODEL
AINI NOOR LIANA BINTI AZMI
This Report Is Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of Requirements For The Bachelor
Degree Of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic)
Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektronik dan Kejuruteraan Komputer
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
June 2013
ii
iii
iv
v
To my beloved parents and family for caring for me, and friends for sharing their
knowledge.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulilah, thanks to Allah the Almighty for the blessings and bounties so I can solve
this Bachelor Project successfully. On this opportunity, I would like to express my
greatest appreciation to my supervisor, Puan Mawarni binti Mohamed Yunus because
without her help I might not be able to finish this project. I would also like to give my
gratitude to my parents, Encik Azmi bin Kamarudin and Puan Rogayah binti Abdul
Wahid, for raising me up until I became a successful child. Appreciation was not
forgotten for my brother and sister who always be at my side, supporting and calming
me in everything I do. To my dear friends, all your knowledge sharing will not be
forgotten and I will use them for my future. May Allah repay all of you and always
provide sustenance and pleasure in our lives.
vii
ABSTRACT
This project is produced to develop a path loss prediction model for mobile
communication field due to wave propagation. For every physical entity, a radio signal
encounters after it leaves the transmitting antenna affects the strength and direction of
the signal. Addition to that, the degradation of mobile phone signal is due to various
obstacles between base stations and mobile stations in rural and urban areas such as
hills, mountains, buildings and towers. The aim of this project is to develop a path loss
prediction model for mobile communication and to verify the effect of propagation path
loss in mobile communication system. In order to achieve the objectives, some codings
have been written using MATLAB software to obtain the propagation path loss for both
rural and urban areas. A visit has been made to Telekom Malaysia to get the parameters
for installation and also to predict the best model for each area. For the installation of
mobile radio systems, wave propagation models are necessary to determine the
propagation characteristics such as the receiver sensitivity and power transmission. In
this project, ECC-33 Model and COST-231 Model are found to be the best models for
each area; rural and urban.
viii
ABSTRAK
Projek ini disediakan adalah untuk menghasilkan model ramalan perambatan gelombang
bagi rangkaian komunikasi mudah alih yang disebabkan oleh perambatan gelombang.
Bagi setiap entiti fizikal, pertemuan antara isyarat radio berlaku selepas ia meninggalkan
antena pemancar, yang mana mempengaruhi kekuatan dan juga arah isyarat. Selain itu,
kemerosotan isyarat telefon mudah alih adalah disebabkan oleh pelbagai halangan di
antara stesen pangkalan dan juga stesen mudah alih di kawasan bandar dan juga luar
bandar yang meliputi kawasan-kawasan seperti bukit-bukau, gunung-ganang, bangunan
dan menara. Tujuan projek ini adalah untuk membangunkan model ramalan perambatan
gelombang bagi komunikasi mudah alih dan untuk melihat kesan kehilangan laluan
perambatan tersebut dalam sistem komunikasi mudah alih. Dalam usaha untuk mencapai
objektif, beberapa arahan telah ditulis dengan menggunakan perisian MATLAB untuk
mendapatkan kerugian laluan perambatan bagi kedua-dua kawasan luar bandar dan
bandar. Lawatan telah dibuat ke Telekom Malaysia untuk mendapatkan parameter untuk
pemasangan dan juga untuk meramalkan model yang terbaik bagi setiap kawasan. Bagi
pemasangan sistem radio mudah alih, model perambatan gelombang adalah perlu untuk
menentukan ciri-ciri
peningkatan rangkaian
seperti
sensitivity penerima dan
penghantaran kuasa. Dalam projek ini, Model ECC-33 dan Model COST-231 Model
didapati model terbaik untuk setiap kawasan luar bandar dan bandar.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
TITLE
PROJECT TITLE
REPORT DELIVERY VERIFICATION FORM
DECLARATION
SUPERVISOR VERIFICATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
ABSTRAK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TERMS
LIST OF SYMBOLS
LIST OF APPENDICES
1
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
xii
xiii
xv
xvi
xvii
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
2
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVE
PROBLEM STATEMENT
SCOPE OF PROJECT
METHODOLOGY
REPORT STRUCTURE
1
2
3
4
4
5
PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.1 BASIC PROPAGATION MODELING
2.2 PROPAGATION MODELS
2.2.1 Deterministic and Empirical Models
2.2.1.1 Hata Model
7
11
13
14
x
2.2.1.2
2.2.1.3
2.2.1.4
2.2.1.5
2.2.1.6
3
COST231 Extension to Hata Models
ECC-33 Model
Okumura’s Model
Log-Distance Path Loss Model
Stanford University Interim (SUI) Model
PROJECT METHODOLOGY
3.1 THEORETICAL
3.2 AREAS OF PROPAGATION
3.3 PROPAGATION MODELS
4
15
16
17
19
20
23
26
27
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULT
4.1.1 Antenna Height Variation
4.1.1.1 Rural Area
4.1.1.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.1.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
4.1.1.2 Urban Area
4.1.1.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.1.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
28
29
30
30
4.1.2 Distance Separation Between Transmitter and
Receiver Variation
4.1.2.1 Rural Area
4.1.2.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.2.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
4.1.2.2 Urban Area
4.1.2.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.2.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
35
4.1.3 Transmitting Frequency Variation
4.1.3.1 Rural Area
4.1.3.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.3.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
42
42
43
31
32
33
33
36
36
37
39
39
40
43
xi
4.1.3.2 Urban Area
4.1.3.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.3.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
5
45
46
46
4.1.4 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
4.1.4.1 Functionality of GUI
4.1.4.1.1 Prediction of Rural Area
4.1.4.1.2 Prediction of Urban Area
48
49
49
50
4.2 DISCUSSION
4.2.1 Input Parameters
4.2.2 Impact of Varying Parameters
4.2.2.1 Variations of Parameters for Rural Area
4.2.2.2 Variations of Parameters for Urban Area
51
52
54
56
57
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Future Work
58
60
REFERENCES
62
APPENDICES
64
xii
LIST OF TABLE
NO
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
The parameters of SUI model in different types of environment
21
4.1
Propagation parameters obtained from Telekom Malaysia Bukit
29
Tampin
4.2
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Antenna Height variation
31
4.3
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Antenna Height variation
34
4.4
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Distance Variations
37
4.5
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Distance Variation
40
4.6
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Frequency Variation
43
4.7
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Frequency Variation
46
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
NO
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Combined path loss and shadowing
9
2.2
Large scale versus small scale fading over distance
9
2.3
Large scale versus small scale fading over time
10
2.4
Path loss and fading effect versus signal strength
10
2.5
Okumura Curves
18
3.1
Project flow chart
24
4.1
Propagation Path Loss vs Antenna Height Variations for Rural Area
30
4.2
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Antenna Height (m)
32
4.3
Propagation Path Loss vs Antenna Height Variations for Urban Area
33
4.4
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Antenna Height (m)
35
4.5
Propagation Path Loss of Distance Variations for Rural Area
36
4.6
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs. Distance (km)
38
4.7
Propagation Path Loss vs Distance variations for Urban Area
39
4.8
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Distance (km)
41
4.9
Propagation Path Loss vs Frequency variations for Rural Area
43
4.10 Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Frequency (MHz)
44
4.11 Propagation Path Loss vs Frequency variations for Urban Area
46
xiv
4.12 Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Frequency (MHz)
47
4.13 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
48
4.14 Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Rural Area Prediction
49
4.15 Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Urban Area Prediction
50
xv
LIST OF TERMS
BS
Base Station
CPE
Customer Premises Equipment
MS
Mobile Station
RSS
Received Signal Strength
T-R
Transmitter to Receiver
xvi
LIST OF SYMBOLS
E
B
J
ρ
Ԑ
ɳ
γ
d
L
Lambda (wavelength in meters)
Electric field
Magnetic field
Electric current
Volume densities
Permittivity
Propagation constant
Permeability
Path loss exponent
Separation distance between transmitter-receiver
System loss factor
Received power in dB
Transmitted power in dB
Receiver gain
Transceiver gain
Free space attenuation
Basic median path loss
Base station height above ground in meters
CPE antenna height above ground in meters
xvii
LIST OF APPENDICES
TITLE
PAGE
Appendix A : MATLAB Coding for Antenna Height Variation in Rural
64
Area
Appendix B : MATLAB Coding for Antenna Height Variation in
66
Urban Area
Appendix C : MATLAB Coding for Distance Variation in Rural Area
68
Appendix D : MATLAB Coding for Distance Variation in Urban Area
70
Appendix E : MATLAB Coding for Transmission Frequency Variation
72
in Rural Area
Appendix F : MATLAB Coding for Transmission Frequency Variation
74
in Urban Area
Appendix G : MATLAB Coding for Graphical User Interface (GUI)
76
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Introduction
Mobile communication is currently at its fastest growth-period in history; due to
enabling technologies, which permit wider deployment. Historically, growth in the
mobile communication field has now become slow, and has been linked to technological
advancements. The need for high quality and high capacity networks, estimating
coverage accurately has become extremely important. Therefore, for more accurate
design coverage of modern cellular networks, signal strength measurement must be
taken into consideration in order to provide an efficient and reliable coverage area.
2
The power loss involved in transmission between the base station (BS) and the
mobile station (MS) is known as the path loss and depends particularly on the antenna
height, carrier frequency and distance[1]. For the installation of mobile radio systems,
wave propagation models are necessary to determine the propagation characteristics.
The path loss prediction is required for the coverage planning, the determination of
multipath effects as well as for the interference and cell calculations, which are the basis
for the high- level network planning process.
Therefore, this project is being done to choose the best path loss model for a
specific location particularly on the antenna height, carrier frequency and the distance
between the base station (BS) and the mobile station (MS). Generally this planning
process includes the prediction of the received power in order to determine the
parameters sets of the base transceiver stations. It is important to accurately predict the
strength of the radio signals from the various transmitters in the systems. Propagation
models are the mathematical algorithms used for these predictions.
1.2
Objective
The main objective of this project is to develop a path loss prediction model for
mobile communication due to wave propagation. Path loss can be predicted by applying
the models to produce a graph of path loss at certain distances between base station and
the mobile station. These graphs can be obtained using MATLAB software. Addition to
that, this project is also to verify the effect of parameters to the propagation path loss for
rural and urban area for the selected region which include the transmitting frequency,
height of base station, distance between transmitter and receiver, and also the height of
the mobile station.
3
1.3
Problem Statement
In mobile communication system, radio wave propagation is a physical
phenomenon that can be described using electromagnetic wave. For every physical
entity, a radio signal encounters after it leaves the transmitting antenna affects the
strength and direction of the signal. In rural and urban areas, the degradation of mobile
phone signal is due to various obstacles between base stations and mobile stations.
The physical entities that affect the signals can be grouped into a number of
categories which include terrain features like hills and mountains which blocked the
radio waves in rural areas. This requires them to diffract over the top or around the
areas. Other than that, in urban areas, buildings, houses and towers block the radio
waves by diffracting, reflecting, and scattering the waves through structures. Due to that,
signals that reach the mobile station will be reduced compared to the transmitted power
at the base station.
Therefore, the propagation path loss should be predicted before installing the
equipment by applying the electromagnetic wave equations. The path loss prediction is
also important so that it can reduce the cost of installation which is relatively high
especially for a macrocell base station.
4
1.4
Scope of Project
The scopes of this project include:
I.
Comparison and decision on the best two models for the prediction of
propagation path loss.
II.
Implementation of suitable formula for each chosen model.
III.
Coding development and simulation using MATLAB software.
1.5
Methodology
Phase 1:
For the first phase, do some research on the project overviews which include the
problem regarding the project, areas of propagation, types of path loss prediction
methods available. From the researches, understand the concept and the expected result
of the project.
Phase 2:
Make comparisons between all methods for the estimation of path loss, which
best suits the area of propagation.
5
Phase 3:
Familiarize with MATLAB software. Learn about the basic coding for the
software. Make research on the examples of coding for path loss prediction models.
Phase 4:
At this phase, plan and write MATLAB coding for the chosen methods. After
that, test the coding using the software until successful. Observe and record the result of
simulation.
Phase 5:
Verification of the results obtained. Make comparisons between methods; which
are the best method to predict path loss at the location. Compare simulation result with
measurement and theoretical result. Write and submit a project thesis.
1.6
Report Structure
This report is divided into five chapters. The first chapter focuses on the
introduction of the project. The introduction consists of the project brief introduction,
the objectives of the project, problem statement, scopes of project, methodologies and
also the project structure.
6
The second chapter describes the literature review of the project. This chapter is
focused on the theory with respect to the path loss prediction methods available. The
results of studies conducted by previous researchers also been reviewed in this chapter.
This chapter is important for a better understanding of the project.
The third chapter is the description of methods used throughout the project. All
progresses and work flow of the project are explained in this chapter.
The fourth chapter is about the results and discussion of the findings. The project
progress and the results of the simulation are documented in this chapter. The output of
the project is discussed according to the results.
The last chapter is regarded on the conclusion and recommendation of the
project. These include the overall result and its justification. The improvements that can
be done for the project is also being discussed in this chapter.
CHAPTER II
PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.1
Basic Propagation Modeling
Mobile radio propagation model is categorized in two groups based on the fading
phenomena. The models that predict the overall average of the received signal strength
at a distance from the transmitter are called large scale propagation models [2]. In
general the amount of damping is then called the path loss. The path loss is crucial in
determining link budgets, cell sizes and reuse distances (frequency planning). In this
kind of modelling, the mean signal strengths for arbitrary transmitter-receiver separation
and large distances are predicted.
AINI NOOR LIANA BINTI AZMI
This Report Is Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of Requirements For The Bachelor
Degree Of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic)
Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektronik dan Kejuruteraan Komputer
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
June 2013
ii
iii
iv
v
To my beloved parents and family for caring for me, and friends for sharing their
knowledge.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulilah, thanks to Allah the Almighty for the blessings and bounties so I can solve
this Bachelor Project successfully. On this opportunity, I would like to express my
greatest appreciation to my supervisor, Puan Mawarni binti Mohamed Yunus because
without her help I might not be able to finish this project. I would also like to give my
gratitude to my parents, Encik Azmi bin Kamarudin and Puan Rogayah binti Abdul
Wahid, for raising me up until I became a successful child. Appreciation was not
forgotten for my brother and sister who always be at my side, supporting and calming
me in everything I do. To my dear friends, all your knowledge sharing will not be
forgotten and I will use them for my future. May Allah repay all of you and always
provide sustenance and pleasure in our lives.
vii
ABSTRACT
This project is produced to develop a path loss prediction model for mobile
communication field due to wave propagation. For every physical entity, a radio signal
encounters after it leaves the transmitting antenna affects the strength and direction of
the signal. Addition to that, the degradation of mobile phone signal is due to various
obstacles between base stations and mobile stations in rural and urban areas such as
hills, mountains, buildings and towers. The aim of this project is to develop a path loss
prediction model for mobile communication and to verify the effect of propagation path
loss in mobile communication system. In order to achieve the objectives, some codings
have been written using MATLAB software to obtain the propagation path loss for both
rural and urban areas. A visit has been made to Telekom Malaysia to get the parameters
for installation and also to predict the best model for each area. For the installation of
mobile radio systems, wave propagation models are necessary to determine the
propagation characteristics such as the receiver sensitivity and power transmission. In
this project, ECC-33 Model and COST-231 Model are found to be the best models for
each area; rural and urban.
viii
ABSTRAK
Projek ini disediakan adalah untuk menghasilkan model ramalan perambatan gelombang
bagi rangkaian komunikasi mudah alih yang disebabkan oleh perambatan gelombang.
Bagi setiap entiti fizikal, pertemuan antara isyarat radio berlaku selepas ia meninggalkan
antena pemancar, yang mana mempengaruhi kekuatan dan juga arah isyarat. Selain itu,
kemerosotan isyarat telefon mudah alih adalah disebabkan oleh pelbagai halangan di
antara stesen pangkalan dan juga stesen mudah alih di kawasan bandar dan juga luar
bandar yang meliputi kawasan-kawasan seperti bukit-bukau, gunung-ganang, bangunan
dan menara. Tujuan projek ini adalah untuk membangunkan model ramalan perambatan
gelombang bagi komunikasi mudah alih dan untuk melihat kesan kehilangan laluan
perambatan tersebut dalam sistem komunikasi mudah alih. Dalam usaha untuk mencapai
objektif, beberapa arahan telah ditulis dengan menggunakan perisian MATLAB untuk
mendapatkan kerugian laluan perambatan bagi kedua-dua kawasan luar bandar dan
bandar. Lawatan telah dibuat ke Telekom Malaysia untuk mendapatkan parameter untuk
pemasangan dan juga untuk meramalkan model yang terbaik bagi setiap kawasan. Bagi
pemasangan sistem radio mudah alih, model perambatan gelombang adalah perlu untuk
menentukan ciri-ciri
peningkatan rangkaian
seperti
sensitivity penerima dan
penghantaran kuasa. Dalam projek ini, Model ECC-33 dan Model COST-231 Model
didapati model terbaik untuk setiap kawasan luar bandar dan bandar.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
TITLE
PROJECT TITLE
REPORT DELIVERY VERIFICATION FORM
DECLARATION
SUPERVISOR VERIFICATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
ABSTRAK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TERMS
LIST OF SYMBOLS
LIST OF APPENDICES
1
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
xii
xiii
xv
xvi
xvii
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
2
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVE
PROBLEM STATEMENT
SCOPE OF PROJECT
METHODOLOGY
REPORT STRUCTURE
1
2
3
4
4
5
PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.1 BASIC PROPAGATION MODELING
2.2 PROPAGATION MODELS
2.2.1 Deterministic and Empirical Models
2.2.1.1 Hata Model
7
11
13
14
x
2.2.1.2
2.2.1.3
2.2.1.4
2.2.1.5
2.2.1.6
3
COST231 Extension to Hata Models
ECC-33 Model
Okumura’s Model
Log-Distance Path Loss Model
Stanford University Interim (SUI) Model
PROJECT METHODOLOGY
3.1 THEORETICAL
3.2 AREAS OF PROPAGATION
3.3 PROPAGATION MODELS
4
15
16
17
19
20
23
26
27
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULT
4.1.1 Antenna Height Variation
4.1.1.1 Rural Area
4.1.1.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.1.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
4.1.1.2 Urban Area
4.1.1.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.1.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
28
29
30
30
4.1.2 Distance Separation Between Transmitter and
Receiver Variation
4.1.2.1 Rural Area
4.1.2.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.2.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
4.1.2.2 Urban Area
4.1.2.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.2.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
35
4.1.3 Transmitting Frequency Variation
4.1.3.1 Rural Area
4.1.3.1.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Rural Area
4.1.3.1.2 Comparison for Rural Area
42
42
43
31
32
33
33
36
36
37
39
39
40
43
xi
4.1.3.2 Urban Area
4.1.3.2.1 Graph of Propagation Path
Loss for Urban Area
4.1.3.2.2 Comparison for Urban Area
5
45
46
46
4.1.4 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
4.1.4.1 Functionality of GUI
4.1.4.1.1 Prediction of Rural Area
4.1.4.1.2 Prediction of Urban Area
48
49
49
50
4.2 DISCUSSION
4.2.1 Input Parameters
4.2.2 Impact of Varying Parameters
4.2.2.1 Variations of Parameters for Rural Area
4.2.2.2 Variations of Parameters for Urban Area
51
52
54
56
57
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Future Work
58
60
REFERENCES
62
APPENDICES
64
xii
LIST OF TABLE
NO
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
The parameters of SUI model in different types of environment
21
4.1
Propagation parameters obtained from Telekom Malaysia Bukit
29
Tampin
4.2
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Antenna Height variation
31
4.3
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Antenna Height variation
34
4.4
Table of Path Loss(dB) for Distance Variations
37
4.5
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Distance Variation
40
4.6
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Frequency Variation
43
4.7
Table of Path Loss (dB) for Frequency Variation
46
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
NO
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Combined path loss and shadowing
9
2.2
Large scale versus small scale fading over distance
9
2.3
Large scale versus small scale fading over time
10
2.4
Path loss and fading effect versus signal strength
10
2.5
Okumura Curves
18
3.1
Project flow chart
24
4.1
Propagation Path Loss vs Antenna Height Variations for Rural Area
30
4.2
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Antenna Height (m)
32
4.3
Propagation Path Loss vs Antenna Height Variations for Urban Area
33
4.4
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Antenna Height (m)
35
4.5
Propagation Path Loss of Distance Variations for Rural Area
36
4.6
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs. Distance (km)
38
4.7
Propagation Path Loss vs Distance variations for Urban Area
39
4.8
Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Distance (km)
41
4.9
Propagation Path Loss vs Frequency variations for Rural Area
43
4.10 Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Frequency (MHz)
44
4.11 Propagation Path Loss vs Frequency variations for Urban Area
46
xiv
4.12 Graph of Path Loss (dB) vs Frequency (MHz)
47
4.13 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
48
4.14 Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Rural Area Prediction
49
4.15 Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Urban Area Prediction
50
xv
LIST OF TERMS
BS
Base Station
CPE
Customer Premises Equipment
MS
Mobile Station
RSS
Received Signal Strength
T-R
Transmitter to Receiver
xvi
LIST OF SYMBOLS
E
B
J
ρ
Ԑ
ɳ
γ
d
L
Lambda (wavelength in meters)
Electric field
Magnetic field
Electric current
Volume densities
Permittivity
Propagation constant
Permeability
Path loss exponent
Separation distance between transmitter-receiver
System loss factor
Received power in dB
Transmitted power in dB
Receiver gain
Transceiver gain
Free space attenuation
Basic median path loss
Base station height above ground in meters
CPE antenna height above ground in meters
xvii
LIST OF APPENDICES
TITLE
PAGE
Appendix A : MATLAB Coding for Antenna Height Variation in Rural
64
Area
Appendix B : MATLAB Coding for Antenna Height Variation in
66
Urban Area
Appendix C : MATLAB Coding for Distance Variation in Rural Area
68
Appendix D : MATLAB Coding for Distance Variation in Urban Area
70
Appendix E : MATLAB Coding for Transmission Frequency Variation
72
in Rural Area
Appendix F : MATLAB Coding for Transmission Frequency Variation
74
in Urban Area
Appendix G : MATLAB Coding for Graphical User Interface (GUI)
76
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Introduction
Mobile communication is currently at its fastest growth-period in history; due to
enabling technologies, which permit wider deployment. Historically, growth in the
mobile communication field has now become slow, and has been linked to technological
advancements. The need for high quality and high capacity networks, estimating
coverage accurately has become extremely important. Therefore, for more accurate
design coverage of modern cellular networks, signal strength measurement must be
taken into consideration in order to provide an efficient and reliable coverage area.
2
The power loss involved in transmission between the base station (BS) and the
mobile station (MS) is known as the path loss and depends particularly on the antenna
height, carrier frequency and distance[1]. For the installation of mobile radio systems,
wave propagation models are necessary to determine the propagation characteristics.
The path loss prediction is required for the coverage planning, the determination of
multipath effects as well as for the interference and cell calculations, which are the basis
for the high- level network planning process.
Therefore, this project is being done to choose the best path loss model for a
specific location particularly on the antenna height, carrier frequency and the distance
between the base station (BS) and the mobile station (MS). Generally this planning
process includes the prediction of the received power in order to determine the
parameters sets of the base transceiver stations. It is important to accurately predict the
strength of the radio signals from the various transmitters in the systems. Propagation
models are the mathematical algorithms used for these predictions.
1.2
Objective
The main objective of this project is to develop a path loss prediction model for
mobile communication due to wave propagation. Path loss can be predicted by applying
the models to produce a graph of path loss at certain distances between base station and
the mobile station. These graphs can be obtained using MATLAB software. Addition to
that, this project is also to verify the effect of parameters to the propagation path loss for
rural and urban area for the selected region which include the transmitting frequency,
height of base station, distance between transmitter and receiver, and also the height of
the mobile station.
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1.3
Problem Statement
In mobile communication system, radio wave propagation is a physical
phenomenon that can be described using electromagnetic wave. For every physical
entity, a radio signal encounters after it leaves the transmitting antenna affects the
strength and direction of the signal. In rural and urban areas, the degradation of mobile
phone signal is due to various obstacles between base stations and mobile stations.
The physical entities that affect the signals can be grouped into a number of
categories which include terrain features like hills and mountains which blocked the
radio waves in rural areas. This requires them to diffract over the top or around the
areas. Other than that, in urban areas, buildings, houses and towers block the radio
waves by diffracting, reflecting, and scattering the waves through structures. Due to that,
signals that reach the mobile station will be reduced compared to the transmitted power
at the base station.
Therefore, the propagation path loss should be predicted before installing the
equipment by applying the electromagnetic wave equations. The path loss prediction is
also important so that it can reduce the cost of installation which is relatively high
especially for a macrocell base station.
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1.4
Scope of Project
The scopes of this project include:
I.
Comparison and decision on the best two models for the prediction of
propagation path loss.
II.
Implementation of suitable formula for each chosen model.
III.
Coding development and simulation using MATLAB software.
1.5
Methodology
Phase 1:
For the first phase, do some research on the project overviews which include the
problem regarding the project, areas of propagation, types of path loss prediction
methods available. From the researches, understand the concept and the expected result
of the project.
Phase 2:
Make comparisons between all methods for the estimation of path loss, which
best suits the area of propagation.
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Phase 3:
Familiarize with MATLAB software. Learn about the basic coding for the
software. Make research on the examples of coding for path loss prediction models.
Phase 4:
At this phase, plan and write MATLAB coding for the chosen methods. After
that, test the coding using the software until successful. Observe and record the result of
simulation.
Phase 5:
Verification of the results obtained. Make comparisons between methods; which
are the best method to predict path loss at the location. Compare simulation result with
measurement and theoretical result. Write and submit a project thesis.
1.6
Report Structure
This report is divided into five chapters. The first chapter focuses on the
introduction of the project. The introduction consists of the project brief introduction,
the objectives of the project, problem statement, scopes of project, methodologies and
also the project structure.
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The second chapter describes the literature review of the project. This chapter is
focused on the theory with respect to the path loss prediction methods available. The
results of studies conducted by previous researchers also been reviewed in this chapter.
This chapter is important for a better understanding of the project.
The third chapter is the description of methods used throughout the project. All
progresses and work flow of the project are explained in this chapter.
The fourth chapter is about the results and discussion of the findings. The project
progress and the results of the simulation are documented in this chapter. The output of
the project is discussed according to the results.
The last chapter is regarded on the conclusion and recommendation of the
project. These include the overall result and its justification. The improvements that can
be done for the project is also being discussed in this chapter.
CHAPTER II
PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.1
Basic Propagation Modeling
Mobile radio propagation model is categorized in two groups based on the fading
phenomena. The models that predict the overall average of the received signal strength
at a distance from the transmitter are called large scale propagation models [2]. In
general the amount of damping is then called the path loss. The path loss is crucial in
determining link budgets, cell sizes and reuse distances (frequency planning). In this
kind of modelling, the mean signal strengths for arbitrary transmitter-receiver separation
and large distances are predicted.